Recent News and Updates

Johnson County reopens, strongly recommends continued diligence

There have been some changes in the state and county reopening plans. The Johnson County Board of County Commissioners and the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment strongly recommend that Johnson County residents and businesses continue to adhere to the Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas recommendations

This decision comes on the heels of Kansas Governor Laura Kelly's decision to remove statewide “phases” for reopening the economy. Instead, she offered her COVID-19 reopening plan only as guidance and making each county responsible for local guidelines and decision-making. Johnson County announced last week it would not impose additional orders or limitations based on current conditions.

By not placing county orders, Johnson County is relying on residents and businesses to demonstrate responsibility, without enforcement, and exercise caution and consideration.

Check here for more information about the new guidance plan for Johnson County.

In addition, the BOCC has approved the following expectations for Johnson County businesses and residents from May 28 – June 11, now that all businesses have been allowed to reopen

Expectations for individuals

• Avoid socializing in person with groups of more than 45 individuals in both indoor and outdoor settings, especially in circumstances that do not allow for a physical distance of 6 feet or more between individuals or groups with only infrequent or incidental moments of closer proximity (e.g. receptions, trade shows).

• We strongly encourage individuals to wear barrier masks in public settings, as appropriate.

• When in public (e.g. parks, outdoor recreation areas, shopping areas), individuals (not including individuals who reside together) should maintain 6 feet of distance from others with only infrequent or incidental moments of closer proximity.

• High-risk individuals may resume public interactions but should practice physical distancing and minimize exposure to large social settings when precautionary measures may be difficult. Adhere to personal hygiene guidelines.

• Remain home if you feel sick. Engage in nonessential travel but follow KDHE travel and quarantine guidelines for travel to high-risk areas.

Expectations for businesses

• All education, activities, venues and establishments may operate and should follow all public health guidelines

• Maintain at least 6 feet of distance between consumers (individuals or groups). Restaurants or dining establishments may meet this requirement by using physical barriers sufficient to prevent virus spread between seated customers or groups of seated customers

• Follow fundamental cleaning and public health practices as designated by KDHE. Businesses should follow industry specific guidelines as outlined on covid.ks.gov. Following additional best practices guidance from each business sector are strongly encouraged

• Avoid any instances in which groups of more than 45 individuals are in one location and are unable to maintain 6 feet of distance with only infrequent or incidental moments of closer proximity. This does not limit the total occupancy of a business, but requires that businesses limit mass gatherings in areas and instances in which physical distancing cannot be maintained such as at tables and in entrances, lobbies, break rooms, checkout areas, etc.

Expectations for employers

• Employers may begin reducing telework and start bringing employees back to work in an office setting

• Avoid large gatherings of employees in groups of more than 45 where physical distancing protocols cannot be maintained except for infrequent or incidental moments of closer proximity AND phase in employees onsite as possible while maintaining 6 feet of distance between employee workstations

• Any employees exhibiting symptoms should be required to stay at home and asked to call their health care provider

• K-12 facilities should continue to follow the guidelines of the Continuous Learning Plan developed by the Kansas State Department of Education. Districts with facilities in more than one county or city should follow any applicable directives issued by the county or city in which their district office is located.

• It is recommended that higher education facilities should remain closed for in-person learning or events involving groups of more than 45 individuals present at a time.

• It is safe for childcare facilities to reopen or continue operations pursuant to state and local regulation.

May 29, 2020 - Federal Update: U.S. Senator Jerry Moran provides a federal update on everything going on and what comes next webinar recap

Federal Update: U.S. Senator Jerry Moran provides a federal update on everything going on and what comes next webinar recap

Friday’s Zoom call provided an opportunity to hear a federal update from U.S. Senator Jerry Moran provided an informative update on everything going on and what comes next. The call took place at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 29.

May 22, 2020 - K-12 Update: Education in a pandemic webinar recap

K-12 Update: Education in a pandemic webinar recap

Friday’s Zoom call provided an opportunity to hear a K-12 education update from Olathe Public Schools and Spring Hill School District to learn about continuous learning and what the immediate future may hold for education.

The call took place at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 22. This week’s panel included John Allison, superintendent, Olathe Public Schools, and Wayne Burke, superintendent, Spring Hill School District.

State, Johnson County move to Phase 2 of reopening plan

Johnson County continues its phased approach to reopening the community to help promote economic health and personal health and safety. The newest phase is Phase 2 and begins Friday, May 22 with some slight modifications. This plan aligns directly with Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly’s Reopening Kansas plan.

Under Phase 2 of the plan, gatherings are still restricted to 15 or fewer, social distancing of six feet is encouraged and masks are strongly encouraged in public settings. Casinos, community centers and theaters can open, and organized sports may begin.

Check out more information about the phased plan to reopen businesses here or take a look here at a breakdown of what each phase means to Johnson County residents.

State adds new phase to reopening Kansas plan

Last week, Governor Laura Kelly signed a new executive order, which establishes a new phase to the plan to reopen Kansas. The new Phase 1.5 goes into effective today, Monday, May 18, and continues reopening efforts while preserving some data-driven restrictions necessary to prevent community transmission of COVID-19.

Some of the key Phase 1.5 highlights are:

Mass gatherings of more than 10 individuals continue to be prohibited.

Nail salons, barber shops, hair salons, tanning salons, tattoo parlors and other personal service businesses may open, but only for pre-scheduled appointments or with online check-in.

Fitness centers and health clubs may open, but in-person group classes may not occur and locker rooms must be closed except as necessary to use restroom facilities.

In-person commencement or graduation ceremonies may occur with no more than 10 individuals in a room, gymnasium, or facility at one time as long as 6-foot physical distancing is maintained. Outdoor drive-through graduation ceremonies during which no more than 10 individuals are in the same area outside of their vehicles at a time (i.e. school administration, graduate, family members, etc.) are allowed.

Under Phase 1.5, the following, unless they are repurposed for use in an essential function under the Kansas Essential Function Framework, shall remain closed to the public:

Testing available starting Monday, May 18

Johnson County residents over the age of 18 with symptoms of coronavirus can now get a free COVID-19 test by making an online appointment with the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment. Residents should seek testing from their primary health care provider first before making an appointment at JCDHE. Supplies and appointment times are limited.

Testing begins on May 18, at the department’s Mission and Olathe offices. Residents can schedule an appointment on the Johnson County website.

Re-Entering the Workplace: Information that will keep you and your employees safe

Friday’s Zoom call provided an opportunity to hear from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Heart-to-Heart International about how to safely re-enter the workplace by providing information to keep you and your employees safe.

The call took place at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 15. This week’s panel included David K. McDonnell, Compliance Assistance Specialist at OSHA, and Dr. Agustina Boehringer, Associate Chief Medical Officer at Heart to Heart International.

May 11, 2020 - Re-Open for Business: A joint discussion with the State of Kanas and Johnson County on Phased Opening Plan webinar recap

Re-Open for Business: A joint discussion with the State of Kanas and Johnson County on Phased Opening Plan webinar recap

Practical Tips and Solutions for Marketing your Business in Uncertain Times

The call took place at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 1. The panel discussion included marketing professionals who shared how strategies will evolve as we continue social distancing.

Friday’s Zoom call features Kim Kramer from Square Peg Marketing and Branding; Kevin Puckett from On the Top Search, LLC; and Ed Roche from Strategy LLC.

May 5, 2020 - Olathe Chamber members here to help with your PPE needs

Olathe Chamber members here to help with your PPE needs

As Johnson County begins a phased approach to reopening businesses, there are a lot of requirements and plenty of precautions that need to be made for that to happen safely.

Once again, the Olathe Chamber of Commerce has you covered. Please check his list of Chamber members who have personal protection equipment (PPE) available or readily accessible.

Check out the list of Chamber members here and see how they can help you as get your business ready to re-open, adjust your hours or otherwise prepare for the new normal as the phased opening begins.

May 4, 2020 - Kansas phased opening has begun, county plans similar opening on May 11

Olathe Chamber members here to help with your PPE needs

Last week, Johnson County Public Health Officer Dr. Joseph LeMaster signed an extension of Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly’s stay-at-home order until May 11. A phased reopening of business is planned to begin in Johnson County on Monday.

LeMaster said that the goal of the stay-at-home order has not changed, as the timing is focused on preventing undoing all that has been accomplished in terms of the trajectory of the disease. Johnson County has experienced positive trends in its case counts and other data. Check out more information about the four-phase plan to reopen businesses here.

The Johnson County Board of County Commissioners voted to table the Johnson County COVID-19 Recovery Planning Task Force recommendations, and the county will follow the phases of Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly’s Reopening Kansas plan. The Local Health Officer’s order to extend the governor’s stay-at-home order by a week in Johnson County means that the first phase is planned to begin May 11.

The biggest change from the county’s proposed plan is that Phase One will no longer include the opening of personal service businesses where a 6-foot distance cannot be maintained (such as hair salons, barbers, nail salons, massage therapy businesses, tattoo shops) as well as gyms, bars, outdoor playgrounds and sports courts; those will now open in Phase Two, no sooner than May 18.

In the meantime, the Olathe Chamber of Commerce leadership is evaluating the same information. Until then, all Olathe Chamber in-person meetings and events have been suspended until further notice.

COVID 19 Discussion with Kansas Nonprofit Leaders webinar recap

Please join Laurel Klein Searles, Unemployment Insurance Director for the Kansas Department of Labor, as well as Unemployment Tax Chief Nicole Struckhoff for a discussion on the CARES Act and how it affects Kansas nonprofits.

April 21, 2020 - County evaluating stay-at-home order

County evaluating stay-at-home order

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly’s extension of the stay-at-home order for Kansas through May 3 gives Johnson County the time and ability to gather more data, maximize testing of various groups (random sampling of the general population, essential workers and residents of long-term care facilities) and collaborate with nearby Kansas counties and other metro jurisdictions.

The county will use that data and collaboration to help make the best decision for the county, during the week of April 27. During this time, the county will work towards the creation of a Johnson County Recovery Planning Committee to strategize and implement a phased approach to re-opening our economy at the conclusion of any stay-at-home order.

In the meantime, the Olathe Chamber of Commerce leadership is evaluating the same information. Until then, all Olathe Chamber in-person meetings and events have been suspended until further notice.

Kansas issues home-made mask guidance

New evidence indicates that some people with coronavirus do not have symptoms of disease and can transmit the virus before getting sick. That means, the virus can spread to others nearby and from you when speaking, coughing or sneezing. To slow the spread of COVID-19, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment recommends individuals use cloth face coverings when going out in public. Learn more about the use of masks here.
Here are a few tips on using a mask in public:

Treat the mask as if it always has the virus. Never touch the front of the mask and then touch your face. If you do touch the front of the mask, clean your hands immediately with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol content).

Do not wear if the mask is damp or wet with spit or mucus.

Dispose of the mask or wash after every use. Wash the mask daily at a minimum.

Monica Brede, Kansas Department of Commerce and Community Development Regional Project Manager

Jack Harwell, Kansas Small Business Development Center Business Advisor

Tom Salisbury, Small Business Administration Regional Administrator for Region VII

KC COVID-19 Small Business Relief Loan Fund available

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a new community-backed $5 million small business relief loan fund was launched today by AltCap, supported by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce (KC Chamber), the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC) the Civic Council of Great Kansas City (Civic Council) and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

The KC COVID-19 Small Business Relief Loan Fund is intended to provide immediate relief to local small businesses experiencing extreme economic disruption and financial strain as a result of the necessary public health measures to “flatten the curve” and combat the virus. Kansas City’s leading business and civic organizations, including the KC Chamber, KCADC and the Civic Council, are calling for additional support from other business and community leaders to add to commitments from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation; Michael and Leah Hoehn of Automated Systems, Inc. and Neal and Angela Sharma of DEG; PortKC; and AltCap to reach the fund’s $5 million goal.

March Updates

March 30, 2020 - State of Kansas issues stay-at-home order

State of Kansas issues stay-at-home order

This past weekend, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issued a stay-at-home order for the entire state of Kansas. Executive Order No. 20-16 went into effect March 30 and supersedes Johnson County’s stay at home order that went into effect March 24. Currently, the state order will expire on April 19, and if that remains the case, the county’s order, which when established was set to expire on April 23, would go back into effect.

The state is working on FAQs to provide more clarity on its order, and we will post a link to them as soon as they are made available. Questions on the state’s stay at home order can be emailed to KEFF@ks.gov.

As always, if you have any questions about the anything the initial Johnson County stay-at-home order, check here or call their helpline at 913-715-5000.

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocated $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn. Known as the Paycheck Protection Program, the initiative provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to small businesses who maintain their payroll during the current COVID-19 pandemic emergency.

The federal government will release more information soon. In the meantime, please reference this document that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce released to help guide small businesses through the whole process.

Olathe Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 resource page

Questions, concerns or just looking for information about the entire COVID-19 situation and how it impacts Olathe Chamber members? Please, let us help. Check out the Olathe Chamber COVID-19 resource page.

March 24, 2020 - SBA disaster loan now available for Kansas businesses

SBA disaster loan now available for Kansas businesses

Some great news for small businesses in Kansas. Governor Laura Kelly announced Saturday that the U.S. Small Business Administration approved her request to make loans of up to $2 million available to small businesses disrupted by coronavirus. The disaster declaration extends to all 105 Kansas counties, making low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital available for Kansas small businesses suffering substantial economic injury. Find more information here and here's a direct link to the SBA application.

COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund established for 501(c)(3) organizations

A group of foundations, corporations, organizations and individuals – including the United Way of Greater KC and the Mid-America Regional Council – has joined together to respond to the urgent needs of Kansas City 501(c)(3) organizations in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This group has established the Kansas City Regional COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fundthatwill focus on urgent health and human service needs, where the community needs are highest. The coordinating organizations, led by the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, United Way of Greater Kansas City, LISC Greater Kansas City (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) and MARC (Mid-America Regional Council) have set an initial goal of $10 million, and hope to exceed that as community needs require.

Additionally, the Hall Family Foundation and the Sunderland Foundation have partnered on a challenge grant to match donations to the Fund up to $5 million. The coordinating organizations hope the potential grant will be a catalyst for the community to give, and strongly encourage everyone who has the means to donate to the fund.

The fund will support relief efforts in the Greater Kansas City area, including Johnson County in Kansas. Grants will be made to 501(c)(3) public charities and public organizations.
For more information about the fun or to make a donation to the fund, visit here.

City of Olathe temporarily relaxing restrictions

In light of the emergency order issued by the Johnson County Health Department requiring all restaurants, dining facilities, taverns, clubs, and theaters close in Johnson County, many businesses are adjusting to provide carryout or drive-up options to remain in business.

The City of Olathe is coordinating with the Olathe Chamber of Commerce to provide options to support businesses in this challenging time.

The City has decided to temporarily relax certain regulations and procedures for affected businesses for the duration of the emergency order. Check out the regulations and procedures included here.

For questions, please contact the city regarding building codes at 913-971-7900 and city planning at 913-971-8750

For more city information or other vital, city-related COVID-19 information, check here.

Johnson County, CORE4 partners issue stay-at-home order

Leaders from the regional CORE4 (Jackson County, Johnson County and Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri) announced the implementation of each jurisdiction’s stay at home order. These orders go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2020.

Individuals are directed to stay at home and leave their residence only to perform any of the following “Essential Activities” as described in the Emergency Public Health Order. People at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and people who are sick are urged to stay in their residence except as necessary to seek medical care. Here’s a good resource on what businesses need to know.

Questions, please call the Johnson County Call Center. The number is 913-715-5000.

Kansas now eligible for SBA Disaster Loan Assistance

Governor Laura Kelly announced Saturday that the U.S. Small Business Administration approved her request to make loans of up to $2 million available to small businesses disrupted by coronavirus. The disaster declaration extends to all 105 Kansas counties, making low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital available for Kansas small businesses suffering substantial economic injury. Find more information here.

City of Olathe temporarily relaxing certain regulations and procedures

In light of the emergency order issued by the Johnson County Health Department requiring all restaurants, dining facilities, taverns, clubs, and theaters close in Johnson County, many businesses are adjusting to provide carryout or drive-up options to remain in business.

The City of Olathe is coordinating with the Olathe Chamber of Commerce to provide options to support businesses in this challenging time. The City has decided to temporarily relax certain regulations and procedures for affected businesses for the duration of the emergency order. Check out more here.

March 18, 2020 - Let us help you promote your business or organization

Let us help you promote your business or organization

If you’re open, let us know. We want to share your story via social media, our website and our weekly eFlash newsletter. Remember, the more you share with us, the more we’ll be able to help you. Please reach out to jbradford@olathe.org or scarson@olathe.org.

We buy local and remind our members to do the same

Our service and restaurant industries are among those hit hardest. Check here for a restaurant guide on what is available at each of our member restaurants right now. If you’re not comfortable eating out right now, we completely understand. If so, help out some of your favorite local restaurants or local retailers by purchasing a gift card now that you can use later.

Let us connect you with help

You’ll find a list of resources below that will provide information from local municipalities to state and federal government agencies. If you have any specific questions that have to do with legislature, please feel free to reach out to our legislative consultants. Here’s the latest from Bright & Carpenter.

March 17, 2020 - A message from the Olathe Chamber of Commerce

A message from the Olathe Chamber of Commerce

As we continue to closely monitor the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we want to be certain the Olathe Chamber of Commerce is doing everything we can to help keep our members and our community safe during these incredibly challenging times. As always, protecting the health and well-being of our members and the entire community is our top priority.

For more questions regarding federal loan and grant funding opportunities, please reach out to the Small Business Administration and/or your local lender. If you do not have a local lender, please be sure to check here for a full list of our member financial institutions.

A few COVID-19 member notes

Comcast is doing their part to help make life just a little easier for our customers during this time. They have opened their Xfinity WiFi network for free across the US and are offering low-income families several months of free Internet service For the first time, Universal Pictures will make movies available in the home with Xfinity, Sky and other partners on the same day they are released in theaters, including DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls World Tour. Sky will also soon announce a number of ways they will lend a helping hand in our European markets.

Evergy says anyone who was disconnected before their announcement that they were suspending disconnections can get power back by paying half of their account balance.